Bacterial blight, which is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most deva... more Bacterial blight, which is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most devastating rice diseases worldwide. The development and use of disease-resistant cultivars have been the most effective strategy to control bacterial blight. Identifying the genes mediating bacterial blight resistance is a prerequisite for breeding cultivars with broad-spectrum and durable resistance. We herein describe a genome-wide association study involving 172 diverse Oryza sativa ssp. indica accessions to identify loci influencing the resistance to representative strains of six Xoo races. Twelve resistance loci containing 121 significantly associated signals were identified using 317,894 single nucleotide polymorphisms, which explained 13.3-59.9% of the variability in lesion length caused by Xoo races P1, P6, and P9a. Two hotspot regions (L11 and L12) were located within or nearby two cloned R genes (xa25 and Xa26) and one fine-mapped R gene (Xa4). Our results confirmed the relatively...
Achieving zero hunger by 2030 often raises the issue of environmental protection or sustainable s... more Achieving zero hunger by 2030 often raises the issue of environmental protection or sustainable social development among policy makers due to the environmental footprint of intensifying agricultural production across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the fastgrowing populations with more than half of the global growth between now and 2050. The challenge now lies in feeding the ever-growing population that is exerting pressure on the limited available resources. Doubling the agricultural productivity of small-scale farmers by 2030 (SDG 2.3) remains a daunting task for researcher and policy makers to address on the continent that now relies much on imports of food. Exploitation of the untapped massive land resources for agricultural production poses threats to sustainability. However, the challenges of global warming cannot be left out of this discussion since it has direct impact on future productivity on the continent. Climate change that has been projected to mostl...
In Uganda, refugee policy and programming is focused almost exclusively on providing protection a... more In Uganda, refugee policy and programming is focused almost exclusively on providing protection and assistance to refugees residing in rural settlements. While international law allows refugees the right to freedom of movement and choice of residence, Ugandan legislation restricts refugees’ residency to rural settlements, subjecting those who wish to live outside of settlements and in urban centres to severe restrictions. This study sheds light on the reasons refugees choose to reside in Kampala as opposed to rural settlements and the challenges they endure while attempting to sustain and support themselves. Research findings indicate that at all stages of exile, refugees in Uganda are put under pressure, either implicitly or explicitly, to relocate to settlements. The lack of progressive thinking and hence over-reliance on settlements as the mainstay of refugee protection and assistance has hampered reforms of refugee policy and hindered the broader involvement of municipal authori...
Ottoman Journal of Tourism and Management Research
This study sought to examine the influence of constraints on domestic tourism participation behav... more This study sought to examine the influence of constraints on domestic tourism participation behaviour in Nairobi County. Explanatory and descriptive designs were employed. The target population comprised of residents of Nairobi County aged above 18 years. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 337 domestic tourists drawn from five tourist sites, and 339 residents who had not participated in domestic tourism drawn from eight shopping malls. The findings from the independent t-test indicated that there was a significant difference in constraints between the two sets of respondents with the non-participating respondents displaying more constraints than the participating ones (t =-15.18, df =674, p<0.001). In addition, linear regression analysis revealed that constraints significantly predicted participation behaviour for both the participating respondents (β=-0. 206, p<0.001) and non-participating respondents (β=0.304, p<0.001). The study concluded that there was a need to differentiate strategies targeting the existing tourists and potential tourists since they were facing significantly different constraints. From a theoretical perspective, the study validates existing studies on effects of constraints on participation. From a practical point of view, the study identifies the nature of constraints affecting domestic tourism participants and non-participant and suggests the focus for marketing strategies for each group.
This Paper presents improvement and extension of previous methodology about timing steganography ... more This Paper presents improvement and extension of previous methodology about timing steganography based on network steganography. The previous article uses time interval between two successive transmissions mixed with cryptography prior to hiding. However this improvement tend to extend and provide new methods based on time format such as hours, minutes, second, millisecond and Nanosecond etc. It further examine how to handle effect of different time zone and high precision timing for ultrafast timing such as millisecond, Nanoseconds, picosecond, femtosecond which human action is too slow for perfect timing. In addition, the extension based on TCP-IP status codes where each elements of set of status code are index and the index represents certain numeric of combination for hiding. Finally, the cryptography method is improved and extended to series based cryptography with any defined number of different cryptographic methods combined altogether with multiple keys generated dynamically...
Article History Keywords Demographic characteristics Domestic tourists Domestic non-tourists Part... more Article History Keywords Demographic characteristics Domestic tourists Domestic non-tourists Participation behavior Profiling Segment Targeting. This study sought to determine the extent to which demographic characteristics of residents influenced their domestic tourism participation behavior. This was achieved by establishing the relationship between seven demographic characteristics and participation behavior, followed by a comparison of the demographic characteristics of respondents participating and those not participating in domestic tourism. The purpose was to identify the segments with greatest potential for conversion from non-participation into participation in domestic tourists. The study targeted Nairobi residents aged above 18 years. Questionnaires were administered to 337 domestic tourists and 339 non-tourists. Chi square cross tabulation indicated that domestic tourism participation behavior was dependent on all the demographic characteristics of the respondents. Chi square goodness of fit test exhibited significant differences between tourists and non-tourists across all attributes of gender and level of education. For the other characteristics (namely age, occupation, income, marital status and family life cycle), the test revealed significant differences across some of the attributes while registering no significant difference across others. The segments with no significant difference were; Age (31-40), Occupation (students and retirees), Income (those earning Ksh.200,000-300,000 and above 300,000), marital status (the widowed and divorced), and family life cycle (those with young children and empty-nesters). The study, therefore, concluded that these were the segments with the greatest potential for conversion to domestic tourism participation. It further recommended the targeting of the segments identified above for domestic tourism in addition to the existing marketing efforts. Contribution/Originality: The paper's primary contribution was the identification of the most viable demographic segments of non-tourist with the highest potential for conversion into domestic tourists. It is one of the few studies that compare tourists and non-tourists. Those with no significant difference are targeted as potential segments for domestic tourism.
Multi-objective optimization (MOO) is the subset of optimization which deals with minimization of... more Multi-objective optimization (MOO) is the subset of optimization which deals with minimization of several objective functions more than the conventional one objective optimization. These have useful application in decision making. Many of the current methodologies addresses challenges and solutions to multi-objective optimization problem which attempt to simultaneously solve several objectives with multiple constraints subjoined to each objective. Such as evolutionary algorithm, genetic algorithm, flower pollination algorithm, and many more. However, most challenges in MOO are generally subjected to linear inequality constraints that prevent all objectives from being optimized at once. This paper discusses some approaches presented by scholars in MOO and then presents some new concepts by introducing methods in solving problem in MOO which comes due to periodical objectives that do not stay for the entire duration of process life time unlike permanent objectives which are optimized ...
International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality Reviews
Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of travel preference... more Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of travel preferences on domestic tourism participation behaviour of domestic tourists by comparing the preferences of both domestic tourists and non-tourists in Nairobi county, Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted descriptive and explanatory research designs. The target population was residents of Nairobi County aged above 18 years. Close-ended questionnaires were used to collect data from 337 domestic tourists in five tourist sites and 339 non-tourists in eight shopping malls within Nairobi. Descriptive analysis, the independent t-test and multiple regression tests were used to analyze the resultant data. Main Findings: The results from the independent t-test showed significant differences between domestic tourists and domestic non-tourists with the tourists displayed stronger preferences than the non-tourists (t =-3.04, df =674, p=0.002). The regression analysis revealed that preferences significantly ...
Steganography is the branch of cryptology that deals with concealing information inside another i... more Steganography is the branch of cryptology that deals with concealing information inside another information. it’s prefer over cryptography as it hides a message inside another innocent looking message, while cryptography shows scrambled message that might arouse attention of an attacker, however the challenges in steganography is the modification of carrier that causes some abnormalities which is detectable and often the methods are not optimize. This paper presents a novel approach in cryptography and steganography, which utilizes mathematical concept of bits combination to optimize time of transmission using sets of multiple transmitter, and receiver’s addresses where each abstractly represents a bits combination without itself modified. In addition, the paper introduces a concept of dynamical clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation of bits combination over addresses after every transmission to reinforce resistivity against steganalysis.
Within the aspen boreal ecosystems, little information exists on the seasonal dynamics of availab... more Within the aspen boreal ecosystems, little information exists on the seasonal dynamics of available herbage and the effects of varying defoliation regimes on accumulated herbage growth and associated opportunities for animal production. We examined seasonal changes in herbage phytomass in conjunction with defoliation treatments in Bromus inermis-Poa pratensis grasslands in central Alberta. Changes in herbage pools were examined by sampling at five monthly intervals from April to September 1997 and 1998, inclusive. Vegetation was also subjected to a factorial experiment with an initial defoliation in late-May, June or July, at heights of 2.5, 7.5, or 15 cm, and repeated at 3-, 6- or 9-week intervals until the end of September. Green herbage, standing dead and fallen litter increased from spring to summer and decreased from summer to fall. Average growing conditions resulted in a peak phytomass of 350 g m-2, and varied by year. Weathering losses of green herbage, standing dead and fal...
We examined the population status, trend and distribution of Gerenuk, Fringe-eared Oryx and Lesse... more We examined the population status, trend and distribution of Gerenuk, Fringe-eared Oryx and Lesser kudu in the Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya borderland after the 2007 to 2009 drought. The species were characterized by low numbers and sparsely distributed in the borderland but were more prevalent and abundant in the Amboseli region. However, West Kilimanjaro had the highest positive change in density between 2010 and 2013 [Gerenuk = +1650.48 ± 1150.31, lesser kudu = +912.78 ± 487.63 and Fringe-eared Oryx = +366.65 ± 233.32]. Changes in density and composition varied seasonally among the different sectors of the borderland, with Gerenuk having the highest change in the Amboseli area during the wet season. Lesser kudu had the highest change in Amboseli and Kilimanjaro during the wet season while Fringe-eared Oryx had the highest change in the wet season in West Kilimanjaro area. Spatial distribution of the species varied seasonally and across different sectors of the borderland. In the dry season, Gerenuk exhibited a clumped distribution mainly in Amboseli National Park, and between Natron and West Kilimanjaro but in the wet season, it spread out more though higher concentrations were still found Amboseli and West Kilimanjaro. Lesser concentrated in mostly in West Kilimanjaro and Amboseli during the dry season but was widely dispersed during the wet season. Similarly, during the dry season, the Fringe-eared Oryx was confined in the Amboseli and West Kilimanjaro areas but during the wet season, it much more spread out with clusters in the Mbirikani area of the Amboseli region and a few places in Magadi, Natron and West Kilimanjaro.
The Maasai ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a the largest avian species in East Africa and though it... more The Maasai ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a the largest avian species in East Africa and though it's not considered to be a species of conservation concern, some populations are on the decline and this is attributed to bush meat activities, predation on their eggs illegal consumption by humans, habitat destruction and forage competition with other large wildlife species. Climate change is also emerging to be another major threat due to interference with food availability which in turn interferes with the breeding rhythm. Thus, this study examined the population status, trend and distribution of the Maasai ostrich in the Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania borderland after the 2007 to 2009 drought. The results showed that the species was found across the entire borderland but the Amboseli region had the highest number and density of Maasai ostrich (726.00 ± 100.9; 0.08 ± 0.01 ostriches per km 2), followed by Lake Natron area (330.8 ± 69.8; 0.05 ± 0.01 ostriches per km 2) and the least was in West Kilimanjaro (85.5 ± 18.0; 0.03 ± 0.01 ostriches per km 2). Drought caused a decline in the population of the Maasai ostrich but the Amboseli area experienced the highest decline in density (−13.44 ± 12.61) compared to other borderland sectors. However, the populations increased in most sectors after the drought, and wet season numbers and densities were higher than the dry season. The highest positive increase in number and density was in Lake Natron area (+85.65 ± 91.06) followed by West Kilimanjaro (+68.39 ± 59.54), and the least was in the Magadi area (+22.26 ± 32.05). There is a need to enhance conservation of avian species like the Maasai ostrich other than just focusing on the charismatic species such as the African elephant and black rhino. We therefore recommend joint collaboration in monitoring all large wildlife populations across the Kenya-Tanzania borderland with a view of under-How to cite this paper:
Tourism is a lucrative but fragile business. Most tourism in Kenya is wildlife based and wildlife... more Tourism is a lucrative but fragile business. Most tourism in Kenya is wildlife based and wildlife conservation is greatly funded by the revenue generated from tourism. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate tourist satisfaction and expectations in order to ensure and maximize ecotourism as an economic asset to support wildlife and manage protected areas wisely. Currently, marketing for East Africa involves seeking specific species like the big five. This study investigated tourism satisfaction in two lodges in Amboseli National Park. Questionnaires were designed to determine levels of satisfaction, animals heavily sought after, opinions on cultural attractions, and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Sixty-six percent of tourists were highly satisfied in Amboseli and 99% would recommend the park to other tourists. Tourists were looking for a variety of wildlife rather than one specific species. Highly ranked animals included the black rhinoceros, African elephant, cheetah, African lion, and Maasai giraffe. Most people thought Mt. Kilimanjaro was an attraction for the park and about half expressed interest in the local Maasai culture. While large mammal species collectively brought satisfaction to tourists, the species were not necessarily members of the big five. Results indicated the big five were not important as a tourist attraction. Instead, tourists were interested in a variety of attractions including culture and landscapes.
Little information is available on the threats against biodiversity in Kenya. This is critical in... more Little information is available on the threats against biodiversity in Kenya. This is critical in prioritizing conservation strategies and instituting mitigation procedures to contain and or eliminate these threats for the survival of biodiversity in protected areas. This study aimed at documenting relative severity of threats and how serious protected parks are threatened. Two hundred protected area officers were interviewed. The most relatively severe threat factors were bush meat trade; poaching for trophies; human-wildlife conflicts; human population encroachment; loss of migration corridors and dispersal areas. Thirty-two (64%) protected areas were susceptible to over half of the threat factors, while over 70% of them were threatened by an index over 0.5. All marine and nearly all forested/montane protected areas were highly susceptible to the identified threat factors. Further, protected areas popular with tourists were also highly susceptible and threatened. Protected areas around urban/industrial and agricultural areas were threatened mostly by a variety of threat factors. These findings imply that threats to Kenya's protected areas are serious. They are critical in helping the Kenya government to prioritize its strategies in protected areas management, rather than the current haphazard approach.
Bacterial blight, which is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most deva... more Bacterial blight, which is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most devastating rice diseases worldwide. The development and use of disease-resistant cultivars have been the most effective strategy to control bacterial blight. Identifying the genes mediating bacterial blight resistance is a prerequisite for breeding cultivars with broad-spectrum and durable resistance. We herein describe a genome-wide association study involving 172 diverse Oryza sativa ssp. indica accessions to identify loci influencing the resistance to representative strains of six Xoo races. Twelve resistance loci containing 121 significantly associated signals were identified using 317,894 single nucleotide polymorphisms, which explained 13.3-59.9% of the variability in lesion length caused by Xoo races P1, P6, and P9a. Two hotspot regions (L11 and L12) were located within or nearby two cloned R genes (xa25 and Xa26) and one fine-mapped R gene (Xa4). Our results confirmed the relatively...
Achieving zero hunger by 2030 often raises the issue of environmental protection or sustainable s... more Achieving zero hunger by 2030 often raises the issue of environmental protection or sustainable social development among policy makers due to the environmental footprint of intensifying agricultural production across the continent. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the fastgrowing populations with more than half of the global growth between now and 2050. The challenge now lies in feeding the ever-growing population that is exerting pressure on the limited available resources. Doubling the agricultural productivity of small-scale farmers by 2030 (SDG 2.3) remains a daunting task for researcher and policy makers to address on the continent that now relies much on imports of food. Exploitation of the untapped massive land resources for agricultural production poses threats to sustainability. However, the challenges of global warming cannot be left out of this discussion since it has direct impact on future productivity on the continent. Climate change that has been projected to mostl...
In Uganda, refugee policy and programming is focused almost exclusively on providing protection a... more In Uganda, refugee policy and programming is focused almost exclusively on providing protection and assistance to refugees residing in rural settlements. While international law allows refugees the right to freedom of movement and choice of residence, Ugandan legislation restricts refugees’ residency to rural settlements, subjecting those who wish to live outside of settlements and in urban centres to severe restrictions. This study sheds light on the reasons refugees choose to reside in Kampala as opposed to rural settlements and the challenges they endure while attempting to sustain and support themselves. Research findings indicate that at all stages of exile, refugees in Uganda are put under pressure, either implicitly or explicitly, to relocate to settlements. The lack of progressive thinking and hence over-reliance on settlements as the mainstay of refugee protection and assistance has hampered reforms of refugee policy and hindered the broader involvement of municipal authori...
Ottoman Journal of Tourism and Management Research
This study sought to examine the influence of constraints on domestic tourism participation behav... more This study sought to examine the influence of constraints on domestic tourism participation behaviour in Nairobi County. Explanatory and descriptive designs were employed. The target population comprised of residents of Nairobi County aged above 18 years. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 337 domestic tourists drawn from five tourist sites, and 339 residents who had not participated in domestic tourism drawn from eight shopping malls. The findings from the independent t-test indicated that there was a significant difference in constraints between the two sets of respondents with the non-participating respondents displaying more constraints than the participating ones (t =-15.18, df =674, p<0.001). In addition, linear regression analysis revealed that constraints significantly predicted participation behaviour for both the participating respondents (β=-0. 206, p<0.001) and non-participating respondents (β=0.304, p<0.001). The study concluded that there was a need to differentiate strategies targeting the existing tourists and potential tourists since they were facing significantly different constraints. From a theoretical perspective, the study validates existing studies on effects of constraints on participation. From a practical point of view, the study identifies the nature of constraints affecting domestic tourism participants and non-participant and suggests the focus for marketing strategies for each group.
This Paper presents improvement and extension of previous methodology about timing steganography ... more This Paper presents improvement and extension of previous methodology about timing steganography based on network steganography. The previous article uses time interval between two successive transmissions mixed with cryptography prior to hiding. However this improvement tend to extend and provide new methods based on time format such as hours, minutes, second, millisecond and Nanosecond etc. It further examine how to handle effect of different time zone and high precision timing for ultrafast timing such as millisecond, Nanoseconds, picosecond, femtosecond which human action is too slow for perfect timing. In addition, the extension based on TCP-IP status codes where each elements of set of status code are index and the index represents certain numeric of combination for hiding. Finally, the cryptography method is improved and extended to series based cryptography with any defined number of different cryptographic methods combined altogether with multiple keys generated dynamically...
Article History Keywords Demographic characteristics Domestic tourists Domestic non-tourists Part... more Article History Keywords Demographic characteristics Domestic tourists Domestic non-tourists Participation behavior Profiling Segment Targeting. This study sought to determine the extent to which demographic characteristics of residents influenced their domestic tourism participation behavior. This was achieved by establishing the relationship between seven demographic characteristics and participation behavior, followed by a comparison of the demographic characteristics of respondents participating and those not participating in domestic tourism. The purpose was to identify the segments with greatest potential for conversion from non-participation into participation in domestic tourists. The study targeted Nairobi residents aged above 18 years. Questionnaires were administered to 337 domestic tourists and 339 non-tourists. Chi square cross tabulation indicated that domestic tourism participation behavior was dependent on all the demographic characteristics of the respondents. Chi square goodness of fit test exhibited significant differences between tourists and non-tourists across all attributes of gender and level of education. For the other characteristics (namely age, occupation, income, marital status and family life cycle), the test revealed significant differences across some of the attributes while registering no significant difference across others. The segments with no significant difference were; Age (31-40), Occupation (students and retirees), Income (those earning Ksh.200,000-300,000 and above 300,000), marital status (the widowed and divorced), and family life cycle (those with young children and empty-nesters). The study, therefore, concluded that these were the segments with the greatest potential for conversion to domestic tourism participation. It further recommended the targeting of the segments identified above for domestic tourism in addition to the existing marketing efforts. Contribution/Originality: The paper's primary contribution was the identification of the most viable demographic segments of non-tourist with the highest potential for conversion into domestic tourists. It is one of the few studies that compare tourists and non-tourists. Those with no significant difference are targeted as potential segments for domestic tourism.
Multi-objective optimization (MOO) is the subset of optimization which deals with minimization of... more Multi-objective optimization (MOO) is the subset of optimization which deals with minimization of several objective functions more than the conventional one objective optimization. These have useful application in decision making. Many of the current methodologies addresses challenges and solutions to multi-objective optimization problem which attempt to simultaneously solve several objectives with multiple constraints subjoined to each objective. Such as evolutionary algorithm, genetic algorithm, flower pollination algorithm, and many more. However, most challenges in MOO are generally subjected to linear inequality constraints that prevent all objectives from being optimized at once. This paper discusses some approaches presented by scholars in MOO and then presents some new concepts by introducing methods in solving problem in MOO which comes due to periodical objectives that do not stay for the entire duration of process life time unlike permanent objectives which are optimized ...
International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality Reviews
Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of travel preference... more Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of travel preferences on domestic tourism participation behaviour of domestic tourists by comparing the preferences of both domestic tourists and non-tourists in Nairobi county, Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted descriptive and explanatory research designs. The target population was residents of Nairobi County aged above 18 years. Close-ended questionnaires were used to collect data from 337 domestic tourists in five tourist sites and 339 non-tourists in eight shopping malls within Nairobi. Descriptive analysis, the independent t-test and multiple regression tests were used to analyze the resultant data. Main Findings: The results from the independent t-test showed significant differences between domestic tourists and domestic non-tourists with the tourists displayed stronger preferences than the non-tourists (t =-3.04, df =674, p=0.002). The regression analysis revealed that preferences significantly ...
Steganography is the branch of cryptology that deals with concealing information inside another i... more Steganography is the branch of cryptology that deals with concealing information inside another information. it’s prefer over cryptography as it hides a message inside another innocent looking message, while cryptography shows scrambled message that might arouse attention of an attacker, however the challenges in steganography is the modification of carrier that causes some abnormalities which is detectable and often the methods are not optimize. This paper presents a novel approach in cryptography and steganography, which utilizes mathematical concept of bits combination to optimize time of transmission using sets of multiple transmitter, and receiver’s addresses where each abstractly represents a bits combination without itself modified. In addition, the paper introduces a concept of dynamical clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation of bits combination over addresses after every transmission to reinforce resistivity against steganalysis.
Within the aspen boreal ecosystems, little information exists on the seasonal dynamics of availab... more Within the aspen boreal ecosystems, little information exists on the seasonal dynamics of available herbage and the effects of varying defoliation regimes on accumulated herbage growth and associated opportunities for animal production. We examined seasonal changes in herbage phytomass in conjunction with defoliation treatments in Bromus inermis-Poa pratensis grasslands in central Alberta. Changes in herbage pools were examined by sampling at five monthly intervals from April to September 1997 and 1998, inclusive. Vegetation was also subjected to a factorial experiment with an initial defoliation in late-May, June or July, at heights of 2.5, 7.5, or 15 cm, and repeated at 3-, 6- or 9-week intervals until the end of September. Green herbage, standing dead and fallen litter increased from spring to summer and decreased from summer to fall. Average growing conditions resulted in a peak phytomass of 350 g m-2, and varied by year. Weathering losses of green herbage, standing dead and fal...
We examined the population status, trend and distribution of Gerenuk, Fringe-eared Oryx and Lesse... more We examined the population status, trend and distribution of Gerenuk, Fringe-eared Oryx and Lesser kudu in the Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya borderland after the 2007 to 2009 drought. The species were characterized by low numbers and sparsely distributed in the borderland but were more prevalent and abundant in the Amboseli region. However, West Kilimanjaro had the highest positive change in density between 2010 and 2013 [Gerenuk = +1650.48 ± 1150.31, lesser kudu = +912.78 ± 487.63 and Fringe-eared Oryx = +366.65 ± 233.32]. Changes in density and composition varied seasonally among the different sectors of the borderland, with Gerenuk having the highest change in the Amboseli area during the wet season. Lesser kudu had the highest change in Amboseli and Kilimanjaro during the wet season while Fringe-eared Oryx had the highest change in the wet season in West Kilimanjaro area. Spatial distribution of the species varied seasonally and across different sectors of the borderland. In the dry season, Gerenuk exhibited a clumped distribution mainly in Amboseli National Park, and between Natron and West Kilimanjaro but in the wet season, it spread out more though higher concentrations were still found Amboseli and West Kilimanjaro. Lesser concentrated in mostly in West Kilimanjaro and Amboseli during the dry season but was widely dispersed during the wet season. Similarly, during the dry season, the Fringe-eared Oryx was confined in the Amboseli and West Kilimanjaro areas but during the wet season, it much more spread out with clusters in the Mbirikani area of the Amboseli region and a few places in Magadi, Natron and West Kilimanjaro.
The Maasai ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a the largest avian species in East Africa and though it... more The Maasai ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a the largest avian species in East Africa and though it's not considered to be a species of conservation concern, some populations are on the decline and this is attributed to bush meat activities, predation on their eggs illegal consumption by humans, habitat destruction and forage competition with other large wildlife species. Climate change is also emerging to be another major threat due to interference with food availability which in turn interferes with the breeding rhythm. Thus, this study examined the population status, trend and distribution of the Maasai ostrich in the Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania borderland after the 2007 to 2009 drought. The results showed that the species was found across the entire borderland but the Amboseli region had the highest number and density of Maasai ostrich (726.00 ± 100.9; 0.08 ± 0.01 ostriches per km 2), followed by Lake Natron area (330.8 ± 69.8; 0.05 ± 0.01 ostriches per km 2) and the least was in West Kilimanjaro (85.5 ± 18.0; 0.03 ± 0.01 ostriches per km 2). Drought caused a decline in the population of the Maasai ostrich but the Amboseli area experienced the highest decline in density (−13.44 ± 12.61) compared to other borderland sectors. However, the populations increased in most sectors after the drought, and wet season numbers and densities were higher than the dry season. The highest positive increase in number and density was in Lake Natron area (+85.65 ± 91.06) followed by West Kilimanjaro (+68.39 ± 59.54), and the least was in the Magadi area (+22.26 ± 32.05). There is a need to enhance conservation of avian species like the Maasai ostrich other than just focusing on the charismatic species such as the African elephant and black rhino. We therefore recommend joint collaboration in monitoring all large wildlife populations across the Kenya-Tanzania borderland with a view of under-How to cite this paper:
Tourism is a lucrative but fragile business. Most tourism in Kenya is wildlife based and wildlife... more Tourism is a lucrative but fragile business. Most tourism in Kenya is wildlife based and wildlife conservation is greatly funded by the revenue generated from tourism. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate tourist satisfaction and expectations in order to ensure and maximize ecotourism as an economic asset to support wildlife and manage protected areas wisely. Currently, marketing for East Africa involves seeking specific species like the big five. This study investigated tourism satisfaction in two lodges in Amboseli National Park. Questionnaires were designed to determine levels of satisfaction, animals heavily sought after, opinions on cultural attractions, and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Sixty-six percent of tourists were highly satisfied in Amboseli and 99% would recommend the park to other tourists. Tourists were looking for a variety of wildlife rather than one specific species. Highly ranked animals included the black rhinoceros, African elephant, cheetah, African lion, and Maasai giraffe. Most people thought Mt. Kilimanjaro was an attraction for the park and about half expressed interest in the local Maasai culture. While large mammal species collectively brought satisfaction to tourists, the species were not necessarily members of the big five. Results indicated the big five were not important as a tourist attraction. Instead, tourists were interested in a variety of attractions including culture and landscapes.
Little information is available on the threats against biodiversity in Kenya. This is critical in... more Little information is available on the threats against biodiversity in Kenya. This is critical in prioritizing conservation strategies and instituting mitigation procedures to contain and or eliminate these threats for the survival of biodiversity in protected areas. This study aimed at documenting relative severity of threats and how serious protected parks are threatened. Two hundred protected area officers were interviewed. The most relatively severe threat factors were bush meat trade; poaching for trophies; human-wildlife conflicts; human population encroachment; loss of migration corridors and dispersal areas. Thirty-two (64%) protected areas were susceptible to over half of the threat factors, while over 70% of them were threatened by an index over 0.5. All marine and nearly all forested/montane protected areas were highly susceptible to the identified threat factors. Further, protected areas popular with tourists were also highly susceptible and threatened. Protected areas around urban/industrial and agricultural areas were threatened mostly by a variety of threat factors. These findings imply that threats to Kenya's protected areas are serious. They are critical in helping the Kenya government to prioritize its strategies in protected areas management, rather than the current haphazard approach.
Uploads
Papers by Moses Okello